The Last Battle opens by describing the relationship between Shift, the monkey, and Puzzle, the donkey (note the rhyme), who live to the west of Lantern Waste not far from the Great Waterfall. Though the pair claim to be friends Shift constantly takes advantage of Puzzle making use of his old-age, supposed wisdom, and Puzzle’s good nature, to convince Puzzle to do all the work. One day the pair find a lion skin and Shift convinces Puzzle to put it on and pretend to be Aslan. Puzzle initially refuses, but Shift keeps insisting that Puzzle just does not understand and stressing how much better things could be if he, Shift, could tell everyone what to do.
Up to now, the story is understandable. Shift wants power to satisfy his physical lusts (bananas). He starts with Puzzle, and then, upon finding of the lion skin, grabs the opportunity to extend his power. Puzzle is a simple soul too easily taken advantage of by the power-hungry Shift. While he understands the difference between right and wrong, he has internalized Shift’s messaging that he is ignorant and foolish. Hence he sacrifices his morality to Shift whom he believes understands morality better than himself. (As an aside we note that this is the same tactic that “Weston” attempted on the Lady of Perelandra.)
The story then changes focus to Tirian, the king of Narnia, who is at a hunting lodge not far from Lantern Waste. It has been more than a week since he has heard the first rumors that Aslan has, once again, come to Narnia. He and his friend Jewel the Unicorn are overcome with happiness at this momentous turn of events. However, the delightful dream is about to shatter, as Roonwit the Centaur warns that the rumors are false, and a dryad is killed (due to her tree being cut down) right before their eyes.
Up to now, the story is understandable. Shift wants power to satisfy his physical lusts (bananas). He starts with Puzzle, and then, upon finding of the lion skin, grabs the opportunity to extend his power. Puzzle is a simple soul too easily taken advantage of by the power-hungry Shift. While he understands the difference between right and wrong, he has internalized Shift’s messaging that he is ignorant and foolish. Hence he sacrifices his morality to Shift whom he believes understands morality better than himself. (As an aside we note that this is the same tactic that “Weston” attempted on the Lady of Perelandra.)
The story then changes focus to Tirian, the king of Narnia, who is at a hunting lodge not far from Lantern Waste. It has been more than a week since he has heard the first rumors that Aslan has, once again, come to Narnia. He and his friend Jewel the Unicorn are overcome with happiness at this momentous turn of events. However, the delightful dream is about to shatter, as Roonwit the Centaur warns that the rumors are false, and a dryad is killed (due to her tree being cut down) right before their eyes.
Tirian and Jewel then set off to Lantern Waste. On the way horrible sights meet their eyes. A water rat is guiding a raft of newly felled trees to Calormen, Calormenes are cutting down the forest, and a Calormen is whipping a talking horse, treating it like a dumb horse. All claim that this is on the word of Aslan. Tirian and Jewel are overcome with anger and each kill a Calormen. They then make to escape, but have a change of heart. After all, everything was being done under the orders of Aslan. Furthermore, they did not warn the Calormenes of their impending attack and have thus violated their honor. They turn back and surrender to the Calormenes.
This section of the plot is extremely troubling. If Tirian has indeed known for more than seven days that Aslan has come to Narnia, why has he not presented himself before the King of Kings? Or at least send a trusted advisor? He has plenty of flying birds, centaurs, and stags who could have easily covered the distance. Furthermore, why are all of the animals listening to the false Aslan? Do they really believe that Aslan would give up on his people and order them to work for Calormen? Could they, and much more so Tirian and Jewel, really believe that Aslan would have commanded actions worthy of Tash? Finally, why did Tirian and Jewel give themselves up? They sacrifice much more than themselves as individuals, they risk all of Narnia!
Something must be missing in the story line. Some basic facts of background that would give reason to the actions of our characters. Perhaps a few lines that Lewis puts in as description and knowledge of who or what should be the true enemy of Narnia will be helpful.
This section of the plot is extremely troubling. If Tirian has indeed known for more than seven days that Aslan has come to Narnia, why has he not presented himself before the King of Kings? Or at least send a trusted advisor? He has plenty of flying birds, centaurs, and stags who could have easily covered the distance. Furthermore, why are all of the animals listening to the false Aslan? Do they really believe that Aslan would give up on his people and order them to work for Calormen? Could they, and much more so Tirian and Jewel, really believe that Aslan would have commanded actions worthy of Tash? Finally, why did Tirian and Jewel give themselves up? They sacrifice much more than themselves as individuals, they risk all of Narnia!
Something must be missing in the story line. Some basic facts of background that would give reason to the actions of our characters. Perhaps a few lines that Lewis puts in as description and knowledge of who or what should be the true enemy of Narnia will be helpful.
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